LA Lakers (25-16) vs. Denver Nuggets (29-14)
January 20, 2026 10:00 pm EDT
The Line: Denver Nuggets +2.5; Over/Under: 228.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Los Angeles Lakers pay a visit to the Denver Nuggets at the Ball Arena on Tuesday night. Here’s a Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction. This article will include a Nuggets vs Lakers Pick.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers have been doing it tough lately as they’ve dropped five of their last seven games overall, but they will be hoping to build some momentum after blowing past the Raptors in a 110-93 win on Sunday. Deandre Ayton led the team with 25 points and 13 rebounds on 10 of 10 shooting, Luka Doncic tallied 25 points with seven assists while LeBron James chipped in with 24 points and seven assists on nine of 17 shooting. As a team, the Lakers shot 48 percent from the field and 14 of 36 from the 3-point line as they poured in 32 points in the second quarter to take the lead after trailing early on. However, this was a close contest until the fourth quarter where the Lakers held the Raptors to just 13 points to make it a blowout in the end.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have been in great form as they’ve won six of their last eight games overall. They will be hoping to bounce back in this one after having their four-game win streak snapped by the Hornets in a 110-87 loss on Sunday. Jamal Murray led the team in scoring with just 16 points, Julian Strawther added 15 points off the bench while Jalen Pickett chipped in with 12 points and seven assists. As a team, the Nuggets shot just 41 percent from the field and eight of 38 from the 3-point line as they got off to a terrible start and were always fighting a losing battle after getting outscored by 60-34 in the first half. The Nuggets just couldn’t make their open shots early on and they didn’t find any rhythm until the fourth quarter where they were already trailing by 33 points. Hunter Tyson had a night to forget as he shot zero of nine from the field to finish with just one point off the bench.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won each of their last six games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Lakers have lost nine of their last 10 games at Ball Arena.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in each of their last six games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in 11 of their last 12 games following a win.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won 15 of their last 16 games as favorites against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
- The road team has covered the spread in seven of the Nuggets’ last eight games.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four home games against Lakers teams that held a winning record.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Nuggets’ last six home games against Pacific Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Eight of the Lakers’ last nine games at Ball Arena following a home win have gone OVER the total points line.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Peyton Watson is one of only five qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.0 threes, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks this season.
- Spencer Jones has played the most minutes in a single game without making a field goal of any player in the league this season – 37:47 against Raptors on December 31.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- Luka Doncic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points per game (33.3) this season.
- Deandre Ayton is the only player to have made 10+ field goals without a miss in a game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for points per game this season (121.7).
- The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for opponent turnovers per game this season (12.2).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.7).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for Q4 win percentage this season (68.3%).
Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction
The Lakers are still slightly shorthanded with Austin Reaves still ruled out, while the Nuggets have ruled out Nikola Jokic, Jonas Valanciunas, Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun once again. The Lakers haven’t been playing anywhere near their best lately, but they are slowly getting players back from injury, and they looked great in their big win over the Raptors on Sunday. The Nuggets come into this contest as the team in better form despite missing some key players, but they really laid an egg in their last game to get blown out by the Hornets. I get why the Lakers are favorites on the road in this spot, but the Nuggets have been playing great thanks to Jamal Murray who has really elevated his game lately. I think they can maintain their momentum with an upset win over the Lakers at home in this spot.
